Chloe having fun...

and fooling around with the pics she took of her cats...

We miss you Derrion...

Chloe and Kuma.

Happy Brithday Mama!

We Love You!
We are praying for you always!

Happy Mothers Day!

Mama,
There are not enough words to express the love, gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness that I have for you. You did a wonderful job as a mother and are still doing a wonderful job and you are also now a Grandmother of 10!
Life is a continual learning process and being the imperfect humans that we are, at times just have to experience things for ourselves to get us to the point of understanding. But I do look back and wish that I listened to you more (when I was there) and learned from you as much as I could, instead of trying to learn and figure things out on my own. I've been through many schools of "Hard Knocks" of my own accord just because I was too proud to learn and grasp from you the wisdom and knowledge that you attained from your years of experience.
But thank you for your prayers and for your never ending love and patience. Being a mother myself now, I understand how it's like to love someone/someones unconditionally and grasp how much you loved me and all of us so much and will always love us! I never realized how much you sacrificed and gave up for us until I became a mother was put through similar circumstances as you.
I know we don't communicate much but you are always in my prayers and I love you so much!
Happy Mothers Day!


Mom,
You are a mother of 11 but you still have time for us, your extended family, and I am so thankful for you. Since moving away from my Japan, you have become my mom here and I don't know what I would of done without your constant love, help and support over the past 9 years. I'm so thankful to have you in my life and you are a wonderful Oma to my kids. We love and appreciate you so much and it makes us feel so special when you do little things for us to remind us that we are always thought of by you. You have never forgotten a birthday even though you have so many to remember already.
I admire your extreme amount of crazy faith and love for Jesus and the peace and strength that you allow Him to pour on you more and more as each day passes. You have been an example to me and I want to be able to strive to become His and be able to let Him be my Anchor like He is for you. I Love You!

Ethan...

...my 7 yr old "giant" has finished his 2nd grade today!

He's been looking forward to this day for a long time and he had a tremendous look of accomplishment on his face....I really am proud of him. The past school year for him has not been without difficulty (he has struggled with reading) but with a bit of prodding and continual persistence he made it through and will be going on to 3rd grade until summer break comes.

I love being a teacher and these are the moments that make all those days of hard work and sacrifice worth it all. Jesus has given me wonderful, bright, intelligent kids and the ability to teach them and I'm so thankful! Teaching your own kids does come with its many challenges and I do admire and appreciate all those mothers out there that has been doing it for years. If they can do it then I can too.

Summer is here...

....Yippee! The sun is shinning and the weather is warming. I know in other places its already hot but we are just starting to have summer days.
We had our first water fight today. No pics cus I had to be the one to hold the hose so the kids wouldn't fight over it. I wasn't so keen on getting wet but since I had the "sorce"....I did. It was short but fun nonetheless and a lot of laughs.

Today was the last day of school for the week and I think I'm as happy as the kids...heh.

I love you all....and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
oxoxoxox

Healthy is good....

I'm back on my feet again though I feel a bit "wobbly." This flu really knocked me flat and I still feel weak. But good health is coming back and I'm ever so thankful.

It's my W&R and its a very wet and rainy day. I'm just going to stay in my room, get in the Word and take it easy today.

(Dad: ) I don't have a magic pill that can make all of life a breeze, but I can tell you this much: The trials and testings and purgings you endure to make you pure and a broken, loving channel and vessel are worth the price a million times over!

You can only go as far as you're willing to let the Lord take you. So let Him take you all the way—all the way to the bottom, all the way through the depths‚ so that He can take you all the way to the ultimate victory and all the way to Heaven and the greatest reward anyone could ever hope for: the praise of the Almighty Himself!

TTL for Good Health

I've been sick and today is my 3rd day in bed. There was this flu going around in my home and I got it, hopefully I'm the last one to get it cus its pretty nasty. This morning my lower back was hurting so bad it was near unbearable. I feel very weak and just going up and down the stairs makes me tired.
I don't get sick often but when I do, boy does it make me so thankful for good health. It's just human nature to get familiar with what you have all the time and only when you don't have it, you really appreciate it.
Lord help me to be more thankful.

Pls pray for me.

Quotes

-The way to get the most out of life is to look at the good things that you've had instead of all the things you're going to miss or you didn't have!
-If your mind is centered on the Lord and stayed on Him, then He is the One you're thinking about, and you can't think about two things at once.
-Keep claiming My promises and don't let go. Hold on to My Word, because it's as a lifesaver that has been thrown out to you. And even though the undercurrents feel like they're pulling you under and you're gasping for air, know that I will keep you if you keep holding on to the Word. It's what will save you.
-The Word, the Word, the Word! It's the weapon that can fight all attacks. The Word takes on many forms. It's comforting and encouraging, helpful and uplifting, and I'm giving it to you. I'm giving you the key to unlock every door, to overcome every obstacle‚ to leap every hurdle, to rise above every impossibility, to heal every wound that you get, to comfort your heart, to give you courage to carry on. All of this is in My Word, and I want you to never let it go. Never let a day pass without immersing yourself in My Words.
-There is no rose without a thorn, and truly the rose of surrender and yieldedness will be born out of these and many other thorns.
-If you've learned anything in your life and service for Me it is that I do all things well, and that all things work together for good to them that love Me and are called according to My purpose.
-You may wonder why I again choose to put you to the test and remake you‚ but do not fret so. Know that I am the Master Builder and I will not smash you without remaking you again in a better, happier‚ and stronger way. I am wise and I do all things well.

(Fight for Life, Part 3 [#3392])

Our cats...

Chloe took these pics with her mini camera.

Knight, living up to his name. Very serious, regal, and noble.
Chloe's beloved Kuma. He is such a sweet cat and very playful and cuddly. He just loves to get petted and stroked. Chloe is so good with both of them and takes good care of them.